Communicating control data in a wireless communication network

ABSTRACT

The present invention relate to methods for sending or receiving control data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of a wireless communication network and to corresponding devices. According to one embodiment of the invention a method of sending control data in one or multiple up-link control channel resources of a wireless communication network is provided. A wireless device receives, from a network node, information on a set of downlink component carriers configured for the wireless device. The wireless device receives, from a network node, an indication of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources. The wireless device maps first control data comprising control data for the set of configured downlink component carriers to a part of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources. And the wireless device maps second control data to a remaining part of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relate to methods for sending or receiving controldata in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of a wirelesscommunication network and to corresponding devices.

BACKGROUND

In the field of wireless communication, the terms “User Equipment, UE”and “wireless device” are commonly used for various communicationentities e.g. including mobile telephones, tablets and laptop computers.In this disclosure, “wireless device” will be used to represent anywireless communication entity capable of communicating radio signalswith a wireless network. It should be noted that a wireless device inthis context may also be a Machine Type Communication, MTC, device suchas a sensor, counter or measuring device arranged to operateautomatically and send reports or other messages to some central node.

Further, the term “network node” represents any node of a wirelessnetwork that is arranged to communicate radio signals with wirelessdevices. Throughout this disclosure, the term network node isinterchangeable with base station, transmission point, radio node,eNodeB or eNB, and the term wireless device is interchangeable with UE.In a typical cellular network, which is an example of a wirelesscommunication network, User Equipments (UEs), communicate via a RadioAccess Network (RAN) to one or more Core Networks (CNs).

For example, the LTE (Long Term Evolution) radio technology specified by3GPP (3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project) uses Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiplexing (OFDM) for downlink (DL) transmissions to UEs andDiscrete Fourier Transform (DFT) spread OFDM, also referred to as SingleCarrier (SC) OFDM, for uplink (UL) transmissions from the UEs. In thiscase, the available resources may be organized in a time-frequency gridof subcarriers with 15 kHz width and time elements corresponding to theduration of one OFDM symbol. A resource element may then extend over onesubcarrier in the frequency domain and the duration of one OFDM symbolin the time domain. Such a time-frequency grid may be definedindividually for each antenna port.

In the time domain, LTE DL transmissions are organized in radio framesof 10 ms duration, each radio frame consisting of ten equally-sizedsubframes of 1 ms duration, also referred to as TTI (Transmission TimeInterval). The subframes are in turn divided into two slots, each having0.5 ms duration. Each subframe includes a number of OFDM symbols whichmay be used for conveying control information or data.

The resource allocation in LTE is accomplished on the basis of resourceblocks. A resource block corresponds to one slot in the time domain and12 contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. In LTE, the highestgranularity level of assigning resource elements corresponds to two intime consecutive resource blocks, also referred to as a resource blockpair or Physical Resource Block (PRB). A PRB thus extends over theentire time duration of the subframe.

The use of LTE carrier aggregation (CA), introduced in LTE Rel-10 andenhanced in Rel-11, offers means to increase the peak data rates, systemcapacity and user experience by aggregating radio resources frommultiple carriers that may reside in the same band or different bandsand, for the case of inter-band TDD CA, may be configured with differentUL/DL configurations. In Rel-12, carrier aggregation between TDD and FDDserving cells is introduced to support UE connecting to themsimultaneously.

In Rel-13, LAA (Licensed-Assisted Access) has attracted a lot ofinterest in extending the LTE carrier aggregation feature towardscapturing the spectrum opportunities of unlicensed spectrum in the 5 GHzband. WLAN operating in the 5 GHz band nowadays already supports 80 MHzin the field and 160 MHz is to follow in Wave 2 deployment of IEEE802.11ac. There are also other frequency bands, such as 3.5 GHz, whereaggregation of more than one carrier on the same band is possible, inaddition to the bands already widely in use for LTE. Enabling theutilization of at least similar bandwidths for LTE in combination withLAA as IEEE 802.11ac Wave 2 will support calls for extending the carrieraggregation framework to support more than 5 carriers. The extension ofthe CA framework beyond 5 carriers was approved to be one work item forLTE Rel-13. The objective is to support up to 32 carriers in both UL andDL.

Compared to single-carrier operation, a UE operating with CA has toreport feedback for more than one DL component carriers. Meanwhile, a UEmay have different capabilities in aggregating carriers in the UL andthe DL. One special case is that a UE does not need to support DL and ULCA simultaneously. For instance, the first release of CA capable UEs inthe market only supports DL CA but not UL CA. This is also theunderlying assumption in the 3GPP RAN4 standardization. Therefore, anenhanced UL control channel, i.e. Physical Uplink Control Channel,PUCCH, format 3 was introduced for CA in Rel-10.

Channel-state information (CSI) is used to provide the eNB with anestimate of the channel properties as seen from the terminal to aidchannel-dependent scheduling. Two kinds of CSI reporting modes aresupported in LTE: periodic CSI reporting and aperiodic CSI reporting.Periodic CSI can be transmitted either on PUCCH or PUSCH (PhysicalUplink Shared Channel) while aperiodic CSI can only be transmitted onPUSCH. Periodic CSI consists of rank indicator (RI), wideband/sub-bandPM and wideband/sub-band CQI and is reported in a periodic manner. Incarrier aggregation, periodic CSI is reported for each componentcarrier. When periodic CSI reporting for different component carrierscollide, the one with highest priority will be reported and the otherswill be dropped.

Periodic CSI reporting and HARQ-ACK feedback (HARQ: Hybrid AutomaticRepeat Request) may occur in the same subframe. Simultaneoustransmission of periodic CSI and HARQ-ACK is allowed using format 2a/bif there is only 1 or 2 bits HARQ-ACK.

When there are more HARQ-ACK bits, multiplexing of the two is treateddifferently in different releases.

In Rel-10, multi-cell HARQ-ACK via PUCCH Format 3 or PUCCH Format 1bwith channel selection was introduced. When periodic CSI is to bereported in a subframe where multi-cell HARQ-ACK feedback is to betransmitted, periodic CSI report will be dropped, which reduces linkadaptation accuracy and user throughput.

In Rel-11, periodic CSI and multi-cell HARQ-ACK (including SR) can betransmitted together via PUCCH Format 3. However, the periodic CSI foronly one serving cell can be reported and others will be dropped. Thebasic principle of transmission of HARQ-ACK together with a singleperiodic CSI report is that periodic CSI use the remaining bits afterHARQ-ACK feedback bits (including SR) has been assigned. The servingcell for periodic CSI reporting is selected according to the Rel-10priority rule. This is further discussed with respect to FIG. 4.

In view of the above, there is a need for concepts with which controldata, particularly control data of different types, are communicatedefficiently between nodes of a wireless communication network, such as anetwork nodes (e.g. eNBs) and wireless devices (e.g. UEs). There is alsoa need to provide concepts to efficiently support an increasing numberof component carriers.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention a method of sending controldata in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of a wirelesscommunication network is provided. A wireless device receives, from anetwork node, information on a set of downlink component carriersconfigured for the wireless device. The wireless device receives, from anetwork node, an indication of the one or multiple uplink controlchannel resources. The wireless device maps first control datacomprising control data for the set of configured downlink componentcarriers to a part of the one or multiple uplink control channelresources. And the wireless device maps second control data to aremaining part of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources.

According to a further embodiment of the invention a method of receivingcontrol data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of awireless communication network is provided. A network node sends to awireless device information on a set of downlink component carriersconfigured for the wireless device. The network node sends to thewireless device an indication of the one or multiple uplink controlchannel resources. The network node maps first control data comprisingcontrol data for the set of configured downlink component carriers to apart of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources. And thenetwork node maps second control data to a remaining part of the one ormultiple uplink control channel resources.

According to a further embodiment of the invention a wireless device forsending control data in one or multiple uplink control channel resourcesof a wireless communication network is provided. The wireless devicecomprises an interface and at least one processor. The at least oneprocessor is configured to: receive, from a network node, information ona set of downlink component carriers configured for the wireless device;receive, from a network node, an indication of the one or multipleuplink control channel resources; map first control data comprisingcontrol data for the set of configured downlink component carriers to apart of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources; and mapsecond control data to a remaining part of the one or multiple uplinkcontrol channel resources.

According to a further embodiment of the invention a network node forreceiving control data in one or multiple uplink control channelresources of a wireless communication network is provided. The networknode comprises an interface and at least one processor. The at least oneprocessor is configured to: send to a wireless device information on aset of downlink component carriers configured for the wireless device;send to the wireless device an indication of the one or multiple uplinkcontrol channel resources; map first control data comprising controldata for the set of configured downlink component carriers to a part ofthe one or multiple uplink control channel resources; and map secondcontrol data to a remaining part of the one or multiple uplink controlchannel resources.

According to a further embodiment of the invention a computer program ora computer program product is provided, which comprises program code tobe executed by at least one processor of a wireless device for sendingcontrol data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of awireless communication network device, wherein execution of the programcode causes the at least one processor to perform steps of the method ofsending control data.

According to a further embodiment of the invention a computer program ora computer program product is provided, which comprises program code tobe executed by at least one processor of a network node for receivingcontrol data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of awireless communication network, wherein execution of the program codecauses the at least one processor to perform steps of the method ofreceiving control data.

Details of such embodiments and further embodiments will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a subframe organized in atime-frequency grid as used in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a radio frame comprising a sequence ofsubframes as used in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cellular network environment forimplementing data transmission according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a multiplexing of HARQ-ACK bits, SR andperiodic CSI on PUCCH format 3.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method according to anembodiment of the invention, which may be implemented by a wirelessdevice such as a user equipment.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method according to anembodiment of the invention, which may be implemented by an networknode, such as an access node or a base station of a wirelesscommunication network.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart for illustration of a specific example ofperiodic CSI bit allocation on multiple PUCCH resources according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for illustration of a further specific exampleof periodic CSI bit allocation on multiple PUCCH resources according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart for illustration of a still further specificexample of periodic CSI bit allocation on multiple PUCCH resourcesaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates exemplary structures of a wirelessdevice such as a UE according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates exemplary structures of a network nodesuch as a base station according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, concepts in accordance with exemplary embodiments ofthe invention will be explained in further detail and with reference tothe accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments relate toconcepts for sending or receiving control data in one or multiple uplinkcontrol channel resources of a wireless communication network. In theillustrated embodiments, the wireless communication network is assumedto be a cellular network, e.g., based on LTE radio access technology.However, it should be understood that the concepts could also be appliedin connection with other radio access technologies, e.g., UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology.Further, the illustrated concepts may also be applied in other kinds ofwireless communication networks, e.g., in WLANs.

The illustrated functionality is assumed to be implemented by a wirelessdevice such as a UE and/or network node such as an access node or basestation of the wireless communication network.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the time-frequency grid. Asillustrated, the time-frequency grid comprises a plurality of resourceelements which correspond to one subcarrier of 15 kHz width in thefrequency domain and a time slot having the duration of one OFDM symbol.As further illustrated, the OFDM symbols may each include a cyclicprefix (CP). In the following explanations, the OFDM symbols are assumedto be designated by an index s=0, 1, 2, . . . which increases with thetime domain position of the OFDM symbol. In other radio technologies, adifferent time-frequency grid could be used, e.g., using another widthof the subcarriers. Further, also other multiplexing schemes than OFDMcould be utilized.

The time-domain structure of DL transmissions over the radio interfaceis illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated, the DL transmissions areorganized in a sequence of radio frames 10 which each include a numberof subframes 20. In accordance with the LTE specifications, it isassumed that the duration of a radio frame 10 is 10 ms and the durationof a subframe is 1 ms, which means that the radio frames 10 each consistof ten subframes. In other radio technologies, the time-domain structureof transmissions may be organized in a different manner, e.g., usingdifferent durations of the radio frame 10 and/or of the subframes 20.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary cellular network environment in whichthe concepts may be applied. Specifically, a cell 50 of the cellularnetwork 300 is illustrated which is served by a base station 100. Usingthe terminology as established for the LTE radio technology, the basestation 100 may also be referred to as “evolved Node B” (eNB). In thecell 50, a plurality of UEs 200 may be served. For this purpose, theresource elements in the subframes 20 may be allocated to the individualUEs 200 by a scheduling mechanism, e.g., implemented at the base station100.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a multiplexing of HARQ-ACK bits, SR andperiodic CSI on PUCCH format 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the maximum size ofPUCCH format 3 payload is 22 bits. The information bit ordering into theencoder is: HARQ-ACK (referenced in FIG. 4 by A/N), SR, CSI. If thetotal number of HARQ-ACK, SR and periodic CSI is less than 22 bits, thenHARQ-ACK including SR is transmitted together with periodic CSI. If thetotal number of HARQ-ACK (before spatial bundling) and periodic CSIexcess the payload size of PUCCH format 3, spatial domain bundling isapplied, i.e. only one HAQR-ACK bit is generated for one componentcarrier over one subframe by taking a logical AND on the two HARQ-ACKbits from MIMO. If the total information bits of periodic CSI andHARQ-ACK bits (after spatial bundling) is beyond the payload size ofPUCCH format 3, periodic CSI is dropped.

In Rel-10/11/12, the maximum number of supported DL component carriersfor a single UE is 5. For each DL component carrier, at most 2 Ack/Nack(A/N) bits are needed for one FDD component carrier, and 4 Ack/Nack bitsare needed for one TDD component carrier (except for TDD configuration5). In total, there are 5*4=20 bits for Ack/Nack feedback at most for upto 5 DL component carriers. However, in Rel-13, up to 32 DL carriersneed to be supported for a single UE. If the same number of Ack/Nackbits is needed for FDD and TDD, the maximum Ack/Nack feedback bits wouldbe 32*4=128 bits. Note that PUCCH format 3 for TDD has fixed payloadsize of 22 bits which is not sufficient to support 32 DL CCs. Therefore,UL control channel capacity enhancement is required even only fromHARQ-ACK feedback perspective.

One solution for this is to introduce multiple PUCCH(s) on the same ordifferent carriers. However, there is a need for concepts on how tomultiplex the HARQ-ACK, SR and periodic CSI bits together on multiplePUCCH(s). On the other hand, multi-cell periodic CSI reporting which wasnot supported by the previous release becomes attractive considering thelarger PUCCH capacity provided by multiple PUCCH(s). As an example, a UEconfigured with 12 DL FDD CCs needs at most 24 bits HARQ-ACK, whichrequires 2 PUCCH format 3 resources. However, 2 PUCCH format 3 resourcesprovide 20(without SR)/19(with SR) additional bits for P-CSItransmission except the bits for HARQ-ACK.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method of sending controldata in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of a wirelesscommunication network, e.g., a cellular network. The method may be usedfor implementing concepts described herein in a wireless device, e.g., auser equipment, such as one of the UE 200 in FIG. 3. If a processorbased implementation of the wireless device is used, the steps of themethod may be performed by one or more processors of the wirelessdevice. For this purpose, the processor(s) may execute correspondinglyconfigured program code. Further, at least some of the correspondingfunctionalities may be hardwired in the processor(s).

Typically, the uplink control channel resources are within one subframe.One uplink control channel resource may be a set of resource blocks or aset of resource elements of a time-frequency transmission resource inone subframe. An example of a time-frequency transmission resource isthe LTE transmission resource comprising resource blocks and resourceelements as has been discussed with respect to FIG. 1. An example of anuplink control channel resource is a PUCCH resource, such as a PUCCHresource format 3 or a PUCCH resource of another format as have beenmentioned above. Further PUCCH resource formats may be defined e.g. byindicating a set of resource blocks or resource elements in a subframe.

Control data may comprise protocol feedback such as HARQ feedback (HARQACKs and NACKs). Control data may also comprise scheduling requests. Afurther type of control data may comprise control data for a set ofconfigured downlink component carriers such as CSI reports, inparticular periodic CSI reports.

For example, the wireless communication network comprises a wirelessdevice and a network node. An example of a wireless communicationnetwork is depicted in FIG. 3.

At step 510, the wireless device receives, e.g. from a network node,information on a set of downlink component carriers configured for thewireless device. The information may be an indication on which downlinkcomponent carriers are configured for the wireless device for carrieraggregation. The term component carrier refers to a carrier that can beaggregated in the context of carrier aggregation. The downlink refers toa link from the network node to the wireless device, e.g. a link from aneNodeB to a UE. The network node may be an eNodeB serving the wirelessdevice.

At step 520, the wireless device receives, e.g. from a network node, anindication of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources. Thewireless device may use the uplink control channel resources for sendingcontrol data to the network node. Multiple PUCCH resources in onesubframe may be indicated to the wireless device. E.g. two differentPUCCH resources of format 3 in one subframe may be indicated to thewireless device. So the amount of available PUCCH resources may than betwice as large as compared to indicating only one PUCCH resource in asubframe. The wireless device is generally able to identify theindicated resources on the basis of the received indication.

At step 530, the wireless device maps first control data comprisingcontrol data for the set of configured downlink component carriers to apart of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources. Firstcontrol data may comprise protocol feedback for the configured downlinkcomponent carriers such as HARQ feedback. First control data may furthercomprise scheduling request of the wireless device. A part of the one ormultiple control channel resources may be any subset of resource blocksor resource elements assigned to the one or multiple control channelresources. After first control data is mapped to a part of the uplinkcontrol channel resources, a remaining part of uplink control channelresources can be determined. Such remaining part comprises spareresources e.g. spare resource blocks or resource elements of theindicated uplink control channel resources that are not used by firstcontrol data. The remaining part may be defined by a size or a number ofspare resources. In one example the size of the remaining part of theuplink control channel resources is determined. This may be done peruplink control channel resource or in total, i.e. for all indicateduplink control channel resources. Mapping of data to resources ingeneral means assigning data to transmission resources on which the datais intended to be send or received.

At step 540, the wireless device maps second control data to a remainingpart of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources. The secondcontrol data are different to the first control data.

Typically, the wireless device sends the first control data and thesecond control data according to the mapping to a network node of thewireless communication network.

The second control data may comprise one or multiple reports. Typicallyeach report is associated with or relates to one downlink componentcarrier of the set of configured downlink component carriers. Examplesof such reports are CSI reports, in particular periodic CSI reports.Such reports may indicate a channel state information for a relatedcomponent carrier. The remaining part refers to the part of theindicated uplink channel resource to which no first control data ismapped.

In one example, at maximum one report is mapped to an uplink controlchannel resource. In other words, in this example, not more than onereport is mapped per uplink control channel resource.

In another example, one report is mapped to multiple uplink controlchannel resources. E.g. one report is distributed over two uplinkchannel resources, e.g. two different PUCCH resources in one subframe.

In a further example, multiple reports are mapped to one uplink controlchannel resource. E.g. two reports are mapped to one uplink controlchannel resource.

In an optional step, the wireless device receives, from a network node,an indication of a maximum number of reports to be included in theindicated one or multiple uplink control channel resources. The maximumnumber may give a restriction to the wireless device on how many reportsmay be put into the uplink control channel resources. In an embodimentsuch maximum number may be configured or predefined for the wirelesscommunication network.

In an optional step, the wireless device receives, from a network node,an indication of a maximum number of reports to be included in one ofthe uplink control channel resource. In one example, each of the uplinkcontrol channel resources has the same maximum number. E.g. one reportper uplink channel resource is the maximum. In another example,different maximum numbers are assigned to different uplink controlchannel resources. E.g. two reports are maximum for a first uplinkchannel resource, one report is maximum for a second uplink channelresource and zero/no reports are foreseen for a third uplink channelresource. In an embodiment such maximum number may be configured orpredefined for the wireless communication network.

The second control data may be ordered according to a priority rule andthe mapping of the second control data is performed on the basis of thisordering. As the second control data may comprise reports, such as CSIreports, these reports may be ordered according to a priority rule andmapped on the basis thereof. Accordingly reports with higher prioritymay be mapped, whereas reports with lower priority may be droppeddepending e.g. on a given maximum number or the size(s) of the availableremaining part(s) of the uplink control channel resources.

An example of a priority rule is that the priority of a report of alicensed downlink component carrier is higher than the priority of areport of an unlicensed downlink component carrier. Another example isthat the lower a cell index of a component carrier is the higher is thepriority of CSI report of the component carrier. These and furtherexamples of priority rules are discussed below with respect to CSIreports.

Second control data having highest priority, e.g. the report havinghighest priority, may be mapped to the remaining part of the uplinkcontrol channel resource having the largest remaining part. In oneexample, a report is mapped on the basis of the priority of a report andthe size of the remaining part of an uplink control channel resources.Here, report priority and sizes of remaining parts are the basis for themapping. Following the described concept, a report with higher prioritymay be mapped to an uplink control channel resource having a largerremaining part, whereas a report with lower priority may be mapped to auplink control channel resource having a smaller remaining part.

The first control data may comprise protocol feedback, such as HARQ-ACKor HARQ-NACK, for the configured downlink component carriers. Firstcontrol data may also comprise scheduling request of the wirelessdevice. With the scheduling request the wireless device may requestresources from the network node.

In one example, the first control data is mapped such that at least oneof the uplink control channel resources is completely filled by firstcontrol data. In another example, the first control data is mapped suchthat first control data is evenly distributed over the indicated one ormultiple uplink control channel resources. Here all or a subset of theindicated uplink control channel resources may receive about the sameamount of the first control data.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method of sending controldata in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of a wirelesscommunication network, e.g., a cellular network. The method may be usedfor implementing the described concepts in a network node, e.g., accessnode such as the one of the access node 1000. If a processor basedimplementation of the wireless device is used, the steps of the methodmay be performed by one or more processors of the wireless device. Forthis purpose, the processor(s) may execute correspondingly configuredprogram code. Further, at least some of the correspondingfunctionalities may be hardwired in the processor(s).

FIG. 5 illustrates a method form the perspective of a sender of controldata in one or more multiple uplink control channel resources, whereasFIG. 6 illustrates the method from the perspective of a receiver.Concepts described with respect to FIG. 5 have a correspondingcounterpart in the method illustrated in FIG. 6.

At step 610, a network node sends, to a wireless device, information ona set of downlink component carriers configured for the wireless device.

At step 620, the network node sends, to the wireless device, anindication of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources.

At step 630, the network node maps first control data comprising controldata for the set of configured downlink component carriers to a part ofthe one or multiple uplink control channel resources;

At step 640, the network node maps second control data to a remainingpart of the one or multiple control channel resources

Further concepts described e.g. with respect to FIG. 5 are alsoapplicable in the context of the method as described with respect toFIG. 6.

The described methods and concepts will now be further illustrated byconsidering specific examples and by referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

A method for a wireless device to multiplex HARQ-ACK, SR and periodicCSI on multiple PUCCH(s) is provided. The method comprises severalsteps.

At a first step 1, information of HARQ-ACK and SR bit allocation basedon the information of configured downlink component carriers and thePUCCH resources indicated by the eNB is acquired The wireless devicewill be configured with a plurality of DL component carriers e.g. tomeet to DL traffic requirement. Depending on the number of configured DLcomponent carriers, the number of required HARQ-ACK bits in a given ULsubframe can be determined. As an example, 2 HARQ-ACK bits are requiredfor a FDD component carrier if this carrier is configured with atransmission mode that supports two transport blocks while 4 HARQ-ACKbits are required for a TDD component carrier if the number ofassociated DL subframes is 4. For a given UL subframe, the total numberof required HARQ-ACK bits can be obtained by summing up the number ofrequired HARQ-ACK bits on all configured DL component carriers. Besides,the wireless device may be configured with a periodic SR resource basedon the delay requirement of the traffic and the system load. Inaddition, the wireless device may be configured with periodic CSIreporting for each of the DL component carriers. The configurations mayinclude the periodicity, time offset and the mode for the reporting. So,for a given subframe, the total number of UL control information (UCI)bits including HARQ-ACK, SR and the periodic CSI can be determined bysumming up the three together. HARQ-ACK and SR are examples of firstcontrol data, whereas the periodic CSI is an example of second controldata.

To meet the requirement of UCI transmission, the eNB may allocate one ora plurality of PUCCH resources to the wireless device. The PUCCHresources may be indicated by a DL scheduling assignment via (E)PDCCH.Here, the total of allocated PUCCH resource is denoted as N.

Based on the total number of HARQ-ACK and SR together with the availablePUCCH resources, a certain bit mapping rule shall be applied in order tofit CSI bits into the available PUCCH resources. Different mapping rulescan be applied. One example is to fill up the PUCCH resource one by one,i.e. first allocate the HARQ-ACK and SR bits into a first PUCCH resourceuntil there is no more space, then allocate the remaining bits to thesecond PUCCH resource and so forth. Another example is to distribute theHARQ-ACK and SR bits on the PUCCH resources in an equal manner.

In one example, it may be predefined or configured that the CSI reportof one DL CC (Downlink Component Carrier) shall be carried by a singlePUCCH channel.

In a further example, the CSI report of one DL CC can be carried by upto 2 or even more PUCCH channel resources. Here, the CQI, RI and PMIfields may be carried by different PUCCH channels, but the CQI (or RI,PMI) bits of one DL CC shall not be divided between two PUCCH channels.

In a still further example, the CSI bits of all selected DL CCs areaggregated sequentially and divided across the PUCCH channels accordingto the available bits after HARQ ACK/NACK and SR mapping.

At a second step, the remaining bits on each of the PUCCH resources aredetermined e.g. by subtracting the total bits of HARQ-ACK and SR.

Based on a mapping of HARQ-ACK and SR bits at step 1, the remainingspace (K_(CSI,i)) for PUCCH resource i can be obtained by subtractingthe bits of HARQ-ACK and SR ((K_(HARQ-SR,i))) from the capacity of eachPUCCH resource (K_(i)), i.e. K_(CSI,i)=K_(i)−K_(HARQ-SR,i). This stepmay be performed for each PUCCH resource. Depending on particular bitmapping rules, the remaining bits on each PUCCH resource may bedifferent.

At a third step, periodic CSI reports with the highest priority can bemapped to the PUCCH resource with the largest remaining number of bitsafter HARQ-ACK and SR.

One or multiple of the examples may be applied to prioritize the CSIreporting: It can be predefined or configured that the CSI report oflicensed DL carriers is higher than unlicensed DL carriers; It can bepredefined or configured that the CSI report of the carrier with lowercell index is of high priority; it can be predefined or configured thatthe CSI report of DL scheduling carriers are of higher priority thanother DL carriers when cross-carrier scheduling is applied; and/or itcan be predefined or configured that the CSI report of DL CCs in certainfrequency band are of higher priority than the DL CCs in another band.

At a fourth step, the above three steps may be Iterated until there isno spare space in any of the PUCCH resources for the remaining periodicCSI report with the highest priority or the number of reported periodicCSI has reached to a preconfigured value.

At the discussed third and fourth step, periodic CSI reports areallocated to available PUCCH resources. If there are multiple periodicCSI reports for different carriers or different CSI processes thatcollide in the same UL subframe, some priority rules shall be applied.As an example, the priority rules as used LTE Rel-12 may be applied.According to some priority rules, for a given subframe, the CSI reportfor some PUCCH reporting types have higher priority than the other PUCCHreporting types. For the same reporting types, the one with the lowestserving cell index or lowest CSI process identifier shall have thehighest priority.

After applying such priority rules, the periodic CSI reports are orderedfrom high to low. Here, L_(P1) denotes a number of bits for the periodicCSI with the highest priority and M denotes a total number of periodicCSI that needs to be reported in this UL subframe.

Several options of mapping the periodic CSI to the N available PUCCHresources as e.g. discussed with respect to the third and fourth stepare described in the following.

In a first option, which is also illustrated in further detail in FIG.7, at most one CSI report over one PUCCH channel is allowed. The bitmapping for periodic CSI can be done as follows:

Step 1: Determining the maximum number of periodic CSI reports as N,i.e. same to the number of PUCCH resources.

Step 2: Selecting the first N periodic CSI reports according to priorityand N PUCCH resources. The selection of the PUCCH resources can e.g. bedone according to remaining bits of PUCCH resources, i.e. the periodicCSI with the highest priority is mapped to the PUCCH resource with thelargest number of remaining bits, or in an arbitrary order.

Step 3: Allocating the periodic CSI report on each PUCCH resource, i.e.the periodic CSI bits are mapped after the HARQ-ACK and SR (if present).Optionally, spatial bundling is performed in this step if the remainingbits on the given PUCCH resource are less than the bits of the periodicCSI report.

In a second option, which is also illustrated in further detail in FIG.8, one or multiple periodic CSI reports can be mapped in one PUCCHresource according to the available bits for CSI reporting over thisPUCCH resource. The bit allocation for periodic CSI can be done asfollows:

Step 1: Determining the total number of remaining bits on all availablePUCCH resources denoted as B by summing up all the spare bits in allPUCCH resources and the total number of periodic CSI bits for thecurrent UL subframe denoted as C.

Step 2: If B>C, go to Step 3, otherwise HARQ-ACK spatial bundling isapplied on the first PUCCH resources and go to Step 1. The first PUCCHresource can e.g. be the one with the largest spare bits or any of thePUCCH resources. If HARQ-ACK spatial bundling is already applied currentPUCCH resource, apply HARQ-ACK spatial bundling to the next PUCCHresource and go to Step 1 until HARQ-ACK spatial bundling is applied onall the PUCCH resources. Note that HARQ-ACK spatial bundling is optionalin this step. If it is not applied, go to Step 3 directly.

Step 3: Selecting a first PUCCH resource for period CSI allocation. Incase the first PUCCH resource is full, select the next PUCCH resourcewhich has the largest remaining bits or any of the remaining PUCCHresources.

Step 4: Determining the total number of remaining bits of the currentPUCCH resource.

Step 5: Allocating the periodic CSI reports in an increasing order ofpriority, i.e. select the one with the highest priority and allocate thebits into the selected PUCCH resource. There is a possibility that theperiodic CSI report may not fit into the remaining bits of current PUCCHresource. In this case, one can split the bits into different PUCCHresources or stop allocating the CSI bits into the current PUCCHresource and go to the next PUCCH resource.

Step 6: Checking whether there are available periodic CSI reports anditerating step 5 until there is no space in the current PUCCH resource.

Step 7: Checking whether there are available PUCCH resources and if soselect the next PUCCH resource go to step 3, otherwise end the bitallocation.

In a third option, which is also illustrated in further detail in FIG.9, one or multiple periodic CSI reports can be mapped in one PUCCHtypically according to the available bits for CSI reporting over thisPUCCH. Besides, the maximum reported number of periodic CSI may beconfigured e.g. by RRC. The bit mapping for periodic CSI can be done asfollows:

Step 1: Acquiring the maximum number of periodic CSI reports Rconfigured by the eNB. Note that the number of periodic CSI reportsoccurring in the same UL subframe denoted as S may be less than R. Thenumber of periodic CSI reports selected for reporting is R′=min {R, S}.

Step 2: Determining the total number of remaining bits on all availablePUCCH resources denoted as B by summing up all the spare bits in allPUCCH resources and the total number of first R′ periodic CSI bits forthe current UL subframe denoted as C.

Step 3: If B>C, go to Step 4, otherwise HARQ-ACK spatial bundling isapplied on the first PUCCH resources and go to Step 2. The first PUCCHresource can be either the one with the largest spare bits or any of thePUCCH resources. If HARQ-ACK spatial bundling is already applied currentPUCCH resource, apply HARQ-ACK spatial bundling to the next PUCCHresource and go to Step 2 until HARQ-ACK spatial bundling is applied onall PUCCH resources. Note that HARQ-ACK spatial bundling is optional inthis step. If it is not applied one can go to step 3 directly.

Step 4: Selecting a first PUCCH resource for period CSI allocation. Thefirst PUCCH resource can be either the one with the largest spare bitsor any of the PUCCH resources. In case the first PUCCH resource is full,select the next PUCCH resource which has the largest remaining bits orany of the remaining PUCCH resources.

Step 5: Determining the total number of remaining bits of the currentPUCCH resource.

Step 6: Allocating the periodic CSI reports in an increasing order ofpriority, i.e. select the one with the highest priority and allocate thebits into a first PUCCH resource. Note that there is a possibility thatthe periodic CSI report may not fit into the remaining bits of one PUCCHresource. In this case, one can either split the bits into differentPUCCH resources or stop allocating the CSI bits into the first PUCCHresource and go to the next PUCCH resource.

Step 7: Checking the allocated number of periodic CSI reports r. Ifr<R′, iterate step 6 until there is no space in the current PUCCHresource, otherwise end the bit allocation.

Step 8: Checking whether there are available PUCCH resources and if soselect the next PUCCH resource go to step 3, otherwise end the bitallocation.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a wireless device 1000 for a processorbased implementation. The device 1000 of FIG. 10 may for examplecorrespond to one of the UEs 10 of FIG. 1.

In the illustrated example, the device includes a radio interface 1020.The radio interface 1020 is configured to support receiving ofinformation on a set of downlink component carriers and an indication ofone or multiple uplink control channel resources. The radio interface1020 may further be configured to support sending of control data.

Further, the device includes one or more processor(s) 1050 coupled tothe interface 1020 and a memory 1060 coupled to the processor 1050. Thememory 1060 may include a ROM, e.g., a flash ROM, a RAM, e.g., a DRAMSRAM, a mass storage, e.g., a hard disk or solid state disk, or thelike. The memory 1060 includes suitably configured program code modulesto be executed by the processor(s) 1050 so as to implement theabove-described functionalities of the wireless device, e.g.,corresponding to the method steps of FIG. 5. So, the program codemodules in the memory 1060 may include a mapping module 1070 so as toimplement the above-described functionalities of mapping control data toone or multiple uplink control channel resources. Further, the programcode modules in the memory 1060 may also include a control module 1090so as to implement general control functionalities, such as controllingthe interface 1020, sending data to a network node such as an accessnode, receiving data from a network node, or the like.

It is to be understood that the structure as illustrated in FIG. 10 ismerely schematic and that the device may actually include furthercomponents which, for the sake of clarity, have not been illustrated,e.g., further interfaces. Also, it is to be understood that the memory1060 may include further types of program code modules, which have notbeen illustrated, e.g., program code modules for implementing knownfunctionalities of a wireless device such as a UE. In someimplementations, also a computer program may be provided forimplementing functionalities of the wireless device, e.g., in the formof tangible product such as a non-transitory medium storing one or moreof the program code modules to be stored in the memory 1060 or by makingone or more of the program code modules available for download.

FIG. 11 illustrates exemplary structures which may be used forimplementing the above concepts in a network node 1100 of a wirelesscommunication network, e.g., an access node such as the base stations100 in FIG. 1.

As illustrated, the network node 1100 may include a radio interface 1110for communication with wireless devices, such as the UEs 10.

Further, the network node 1100 includes one or more processors 1150coupled to the radio interface 1110, and a memory 1160 coupled to theprocessor(s) 1150. The memory 1160 may include a Read Only Memory (ROM),e.g., a flash ROM, a Random Access Memory (RAM), e.g., a Dynamic RAM(DRAM) or Static RAM (SRAM), a mass storage, e.g., a hard disk or solidstate disk, or the like. The memory 1160 includes suitably configuredprogram code to be executed by the processor(s) 1150 so as to implementthe above-described functionalities of the network node. In particular,the memory 1160 may include various program code modules for causing thenetwork node to perform processes as described above, e.g.,corresponding to the method steps of FIG. 6. As illustrated, the memory1160 may include a mapping module 1170 for implementing theabove-described functionalities of the mapping algorithm. Further, thememory 1160 may include a control module 1190 for implementing variouscontrol functionalities, such as controlling the radio interface 1110,sending data to a wireless device, receiving data from a wirelessdevice, or the like.

It is to be understood that the structures as illustrated in FIG. 11 aremerely schematic and that the network node may actually include furthercomponents which, for the sake of clarity, have not been illustrated,e.g., further interfaces or processors. Also, it is to be understoodthat the memory 1160 may include further types of program code modules,which have not been illustrated, e.g., program code modules forimplementing known functionalities of a network node. According to someembodiments, also a computer program may be provided for implementingfunctionalities of the network node, e.g., in the form of a physicalmedium storing the program code and/or other data to be stored in thememory 1160 or by making the program code available for download or bystreaming.

As can be seen, the concepts as described above may be used forefficiently mapping different types of control data to one or multipleuplink control channel resources. Comparatively large amounts ofdifferent control data is handled in an efficient way as regardsrequired complexity for mapping the data to transmission resources aswell as efficient usage of transmission resources. For example a largenumber of downlink component carriers can be efficiently supported. Insome embodiments, CSI reporting is improved at the same time. Furthercompatibility to earlier wireless communication networks is supported.

It is to be understood that the examples and embodiments as explainedabove are merely illustrative and susceptible to various modifications.For example, the illustrated concepts may be applied in connection withvarious radio access technologies, without limitation to theabove-mentioned LTE radio access technology. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that the above concepts may be implemented by usingcorrespondingly designed software to be executed by one or moreprocessors of an existing device, or by using dedicated device hardware.

Moreover, it is to be understood that the above concepts may beimplemented by using correspondingly designed software to be executed byone or more processors of an existing device, or by using dedicateddevice hardware. Also, the devices as described herein may beimplemented by a single device or by a system of multiple componentdevices. For example, the above-mention network node of a wirelesscommunication network could be implemented by system in which theillustrated functionalities are distributed over two or more devices.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of sending control data in one ormultiple uplink control channel resources of a wireless communicationnetwork, the method comprising a wireless device: receiving, from anetwork node, information on a set of downlink component carriersconfigured for the wireless device; receiving, from a network node, anindication of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources;mapping first control data comprising control data for the set ofconfigured downlink component carriers to a first part of the one ormultiple uplink control channel resources; and mapping second controldata for the set of configured downlink component carriers to aremaining part of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources,wherein the second control data comprises multiple reports eachassociated with a different downlink component carrier of the set ofconfigured downlink component carriers, wherein two or more of themultiple reports are mapped to one uplink control channel resource. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising the wireless device receiving,from a network node, an indication of a maximum number of reports to beincluded in the indicated one or multiple uplink control channelresources.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the wirelessdevice receiving, from a network node, an indication of a maximum numberof reports to be included in one of the uplink control channelresources.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second control data isordered according to a priority rule; and wherein the mapping of thesecond control data is performed based on this ordering.
 5. The methodclaim 1, wherein second control data having highest priority is mappedto the remaining part of the uplink control channel resource having thelargest remaining part.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstcontrol data comprises HARQ feedback for the configured downlinkcomponent carriers and/or scheduling request of the wireless device. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the first control data is mapped suchthat at least one of the uplink control channel resources is completelyfilled by first control data.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein firstcontrol data is mapped such that first control data is evenlydistributed over the indicated one or multiple uplink control channelresources.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein one report is mapped tomultiple uplink control channel resources.
 10. A method of receivingcontrol data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of awireless communication network, the method comprising a network node:sending, to a wireless device, information on a set of downlinkcomponent carriers configured for the wireless device; sending, to thewireless device, an indication of the one or multiple uplink controlchannel resources; mapping first control data comprising control datafor the set of configured downlink component carriers to a first part ofthe one or multiple uplink control channel resources; and mapping secondcontrol data for the set of configured downlink component carriers to aremaining part of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources,wherein the second control data comprises multiple reports eachassociated with a different downlink component carrier of the set ofconfigured downlink component carriers, wherein two or more of themultiple reports are mapped to one uplink control channel resource. 11.The method of claim 10, further comprising the network node sending, tothe wireless device, an indication of a maximum number of reports to beincluded in the indicated one or multiple uplink control channelresources.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the networknode sending, to the wireless device, an indication of a maximum numberof reports to be included in one of the uplink control channel resource.13. The method of claim 10, wherein the second control data is orderedaccording to a priority rule; and wherein the mapping of the secondcontrol data is performed based on this ordering.
 14. The method ofclaim 10, wherein second control data having highest priority is mappedto the remaining part of the uplink control channel resource having thelargest remaining part.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the firstcontrol data comprises HARQ feedback for the configured downlinkcomponent carriers and/or scheduling request of the wireless device. 16.The method of claim 10, wherein the first control data is mapped suchthat at least one of the uplink control channel resources is completelyfilled by first control data.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein thefirst control data is mapped such that first control data is evenlydistributed over the indicated one or multiple uplink control channelresources.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein one report is mapped tomultiple uplink control channel resources.
 19. The method of claim 10further comprising: receiving the first control data on the first partof the one or multiple uplink control channel resources; and receivingthe second control data on the remaining part of the one or multipleuplink control channel resources.
 20. A wireless device for sendingcontrol data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of awireless communication network, the wireless device comprising: aninterface; processing circuitry; memory containing instructionsexecutable by the processing circuitry whereby the wireless device isoperative to: receive, from a network node and via the interface,information on a set of downlink component carriers configured for thewireless device; receive, from a network node and via the interface, anindication of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources; mapfirst control data comprising control data for the set of configureddownlink component carriers to a first part of the one or multipleuplink control channel resources; and map second control data for theset of configured downlink component carriers to a remaining part of theone or multiple uplink control channel resources, wherein the secondcontrol data comprises multiple reports each associated with a differentdownlink component carrier of the set of configured downlink componentcarriers, wherein two or more of the multiple reports are mapped to oneuplink control channel resource.
 21. The wireless device of claim 20wherein the memory further contains instructions executable by theprocessing circuitry whereby the wireless device is operative to:transmit the first control data on the first part of the one or multipleuplink control channel resources; and transmit the second control dataon the remaining part of the one or multiple uplink control channelresources.
 22. A network node for receiving control data in one ormultiple uplink control channel resources of a wireless communicationnetwork, the network node comprising: an interface; processingcircuitry; memory containing instructions executable by the processingcircuitry whereby the network node is operative to: send, to a wirelessdevice and via the interface, information on a set of downlink componentcarriers configured for the wireless device; send, to the wirelessdevice and via the interface, an indication of the one or multipleuplink control channel resources; map first control data comprisingcontrol data for the set of configured downlink component carriers to afirst part of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources; andmap second control data for the set of configured downlink componentcarriers to a remaining part of the one or multiple uplink controlchannel resources, wherein the second control data comprises multiplereports each associated with a different downlink component carrier ofthe set of configured downlink component carriers, wherein two or moreof the multiple reports are mapped to one uplink control channelresource.
 23. The network node of claim 22 wherein the memory furthercontains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby thenetwork node is operative to: receive the first control data on thefirst part of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources; andreceive the second control data on the remaining part of the one ormultiple uplink control channel resources.
 24. A non-transitory computerreadable recording medium storing a computer program product for sendingcontrol data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of awireless communication network, the computer program product comprisingsoftware instructions which, when run on processing circuitry of awireless device, causes the wireless device to: receive, from a networknode, information on a set of downlink component carriers configured forthe wireless device; receive, from a network node, an indication of theone or multiple uplink control channel resources; map first control datacomprising control data for the set of configured downlink componentcarriers to a first part of the one or multiple uplink control channelresources; and map second control data for the set of configureddownlink component carriers to a remaining part of the one or multipleuplink control channel resources, wherein the second control datacomprises multiple reports each associated with a different downlinkcomponent carrier of the set of configured downlink component carriers,wherein two or more of the multiple reports are mapped to one uplinkcontrol channel resource.
 25. A non-transitory computer readablerecording medium storing a computer program product for receivingcontrol data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of awireless communication network, the computer program product comprisingsoftware instructions which, when run on processing circuitry of anetwork node, causes the network node to: send, to a wireless device,information on a set of downlink component carriers configured for thewireless device; send, to the wireless device, an indication of the oneor multiple uplink control channel resources; map first control datacomprising control data for the set of configured downlink componentcarriers to a first part of the one or multiple uplink control channelresources; and map second control data for the set of configureddownlink component carriers to a remaining part of the one or multipleuplink control channel resources, wherein the second control datacomprises multiple reports each associated with a different downlinkcomponent carrier of the set of configured downlink component carriers,wherein two or more of the multiple reports are mapped to one uplinkcontrol channel resource.
 26. The method of claim 1 further comprising:transmitting the first control data on the first part of the one ormultiple uplink control channel resources; and transmitting the secondcontrol data on the remaining part of the one or multiple uplink controlchannel resources.